Twenty...five...years.

1985. That's how long we have been waiting. 25 years of inequitable access to a key, public, taxpayer (i.e. us) funded *urban* park and that is all about to change. It's hard to believe, but at tonight's public presentation, DCR showed some very positive steps in the right directions.

Key points from tonight's presentation of the Draft Plan:

1. Reduction of the trail inventory. Close and eliminate redundant, dead-end and confusing trails. This increases undisturbed habitat and reduces user confusion. Interesting Fells statistic from tonight: there are over 1,900 trail intersections in the Fells.

2. Winter closure policy changes to March 1 - March 31. YES! Essentially mud season and when trails are most vulnerable. They are explicitly targeting riding but emphasize educating all trail users need to stay off soft trails then.

3. Orange (Reservoir) Trail becomes multi-use. YES! This is a good thing.

4. Dark Hollow Pond plan implemented and becomes multi-use. YES! Also good.

5. Evaluate Cross Fells (Blue) and Crystal Springs trails for multi-use. YES! We'll want to see how this fits in with overall implmentation - i.e. when and how.

6. Better signage all around.

7. Virginia Wood designated pedestrian only

8. Possible after-dark use by special permit

9. Create formal MOU's (Memorandum of Understanding) with key stakeholders (i.e. NEMBA, AMC, etc) to formally engage skills and volunteers in helping to maintain the Fells.

There are a few more but these are the main ones. Note that these *do not go into effect yet*. Tomorrow is the first day of the 60-day public comment period.

Every one of you deserves a big thank you for your long perseverance and tenacity in getting input into this process - and now finally seeing some positive change is huge!

We're not done by a long shot though. Here's your homework: download the draft plan and read it. It will be available here tomorrow: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/greenwaysfellspast.htm

Then, we're going to need to start submitting comments. We'll have a more detailed post on those soon. But for now....

WE DID IT! THANK YOU ALL!! (but we still have work to do - but a little celebration is in order)